Sonicware’s excellent ELZ_1 synth gets a major update with new looping features. Greg Scarth checks out this affordable rival to the Teenage Engineering OP-1.
The Sonicware ELZ_1 Play is the successor to the original ELZ_1 synth, released back in 2019. Expanding on the excellent synth features of the original, the Play features a new four-track looper option, adding to the versatility of the instrument and turning it into an all-round workstation for creating new musical ideas, sketching out loops and building tracks.
Visually, the Play is similar to the original ELZ_1 but with a few crucial differences. On the right-hand side of the main panel, the speaker grilles have been replaced by additional controls for the new looper functions, while on the top left-hand side the synth controls have been extended. The Play still features built-in stereo speakers despite the changes to the front panel, and the option to run on six AA batteries makes it a fully portable device. Around the back, you’ll find stereo line outputs, headphone out, aux input, analogue clock in and out, plus MIDI over DIN and USB. It’s a comprehensive hardware spec, all housed in a well built plastic case which feels like it’ll stand up well to use both in the studio and out.
What made the original ELZ_1 interesting was the surprising depth of its synth engine. The Play version follows suit, with a total of 17 digital engines on offer. These range from conventional virtual analogue approaches with standard, custom or low-bit oscillators, thought to granular synthesis, FM, physical modelling and drum sampling. The real beauty of the ELZ_1 is how intuitive and graphically-focussed the approaches are to these different synth engines. Take, for example, the 8BIT WAV MEM (MORPH) synth engine, which morphs between three different waveforms. This is quite a complex idea, but it’s presented in a clear way via the buttons on the top-left, which allow you to step through visualisations of the waveforms themselves, an ADSR envelope, filter settings, effects, voice mode, sequencer and mixer. It’s an intuitive approach which gives great access to the extensive range of sounds the ELZ_1 can produce, ranging from classic virtual analogue synths to experimental tones.
The most divisive aspect of the ELZ_1 is likely to be the push-button keyboard. The three-octave setup gives decent control, with velocity sensitive response, but the buttons themselves are loose and clicky, giving an unusual feel. Some people might not like the mini keys (and the size difference between the black and white keys) but they do offer a decent degree of control and expression. You can, of course, control the ELZ_1 using a separate MIDI keyboard, which might be a good option in the studio. Overall, the compact keyboard design is probably a compromise worth accepting for the portability of the instrument.
There’s an obvious comparison to be made here with the much more expensive Teenage Engineering OP-1 Field. The OP-1 is a truly premium instrument, coming in at an MRP of £1,799. The ELZ_1 is a much more affordable and accessible option, but there’s a definite similarity in terms of overall ethos: fun, quick and easy to use, with a surprising level of professional sound quality. To suggest that the ELZ_1 is a budget alternative to the OP-1 probably does a disservice to both instruments, but there’s a definite similarity in terms of vibe.
At just under £600, the ELZ_1 Play isn’t a cheap option, but it represents good value. The original ELZ_1 was already a surprisingly capable instrument, but the loop functionality of the Play version genuinely adds a huge degree of extra creative potential to the device. A compelling, engrossing instrument which inspires new musical ideas.
Greg Scarth
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